Description
Description and highlights of this specimen: - Concours-condition - Original service book and invoices - Exceptional configuration - Rare coupé version Our Mercedes 280 C, first registered in 1973, now shows 38, 000 miles (5-digit odometer, mileage not guaranteed). Imported from the United States, it has been registered in France since 2019 and changed owner in 2022. This example has been fully restored before arriving in France. Shown in Dark Olive exterior colour (code 291) paired with Bamboo MB Tex upholstery (code 167), this 280 C offers a particularly elegant and sought-after configuration. The bodywork is in very good condition, with no notable aesthetic defects, and the interior is in near-new condition, reflecting the care taken during the restoration. All on-board instrumentation functions perfectly. Powered by a 160 hp six-cylinder engine, paired with an automatic transmission, this Mercedes epitomises the charm of the W114 coupes: smooth driving, timeless styling, and mechanical robustness. The mechanics run faultlessly and require no intervention. Servicing has been carried out at Mercedes, then by specialists in classics. The vehicle comes with a stamped service book, as well as the purchase invoice and numerous archival invoices detailing its history. The 1973 to 2022 chronology is almost complete, with original documentation including the service book, purchase invoice, and revisions preserved. A rare case, to be noted. Consumables are in generally good condition. Regarding the work carried out, the car has received a full repaint in its original colour to restore its former shine in line with its overall restoration. No expenses are anticipated; a full workshop check-up will be performed before sale. The car is supplied with an administrative status certificate, service book, archival invoices, a technical inspection report, a roadworthiness test, and one key. Here are the options this exemplar benefits from: • 291 – Dark Olive paint • 167 – Bamboo MB Tex upholstery • 421 – Automatic transmission • 422 – Power steering • 515 – Radio **/ FM Europe • 580 – Air conditioning • 584 – Electric windows • 593 – Tinted windows and rear window with heated de-icer • 994 – Front armrest Fully restored, preserved, and with an exceptional history, this Mercedes 280 C stands out as a rare specimen, ideal for a discerning collector seeking an authentic piece in concours condition. Model history: The Mercedes-Benz W114 “/ 8” series arrived in 1968 as the brand’s new mid-range line, followed by the pillarless coupé (factory code C114) in 1969. The high-end 280 C appeared for model year 1972, launching the two-door body with the new inline six-cylinder M110 engine with double overhead camshafts and 2. 8 litres. With two Zenith carburettors, the 280 C develops around 160 hp (DIN), just below the fuel-injected 280 CE (approx. 185 hp). The W114 story is that of massive sales and real diversity: Mercedes sold more than 1. 9 million W114/ 115 “Strich Acht” (sedans and coupes), but the coupes were produced in far smaller quantities, giving them a grand tourer aura. The arrival of the 280 C marked a key upgrade over the 250 C with single cam, offering a smoother surge and better performance without sacrificing the refinement the marque is known for. A 4-speed manual was standard (a 5-speed is still rare depending on markets), while the 4-speed automatic was highly sought-after—especially overseas. In 1973, the facelift brought visible and invisible evolutions: thicker bumpers with rubber inserts, ribbed taillights that stay cleaner in wet weather, new mirrors and interior details, improved safety (head restraints, better seat belts), together with ongoing cooling, electrical, and emission updates. The latest models received transistorised ignition and carburation adjustments to meet stricter standards; US versions adopted large federal bumpers and specific lighting. Competition was strong: BMW E9 2800/ 3. 0 CS, Opel Commodore GS/ E Coupé and, later, Fiat 130 Coupé targeted the same clientele. Contemporary tests praised build quality as a “fortress,” high-speed comfort, low aerodynamic noise, and easy cruising of the 280 C—while noting that the BMW is more sporty, whereas the Mercedes remained the grand road-going gentleman. The 280 C also featured in TV/ film productions: C114 coupes frequently appeared in European police series from the 70s (Derrick, Tatort) and in period pieces like The Serpent, with their Paul Bracq-design lines and unframed profiles anchoring the look...
